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Government of Canada Travel Advisory

Last Updated: March 15, 2018 11:06 EST1. RECENT UPDATESEditorial change.2. ADVISORIESPuerto Rico - Exercise a high degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. See Natural disasters and climate.Travel Health Notice - Zika virusThe Public Health Agency of Canada has issued advice for travellers on the Zika virus, recommending that Canadians practice special health precautions while travelling in affected countries. Pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant should avoid travel to Puerto Rico. See Health for more information.3. SECURITYCanadians rarely encounter safety and security problems, but normal safety precautions should be taken due to an increase in violent crime. Petty crime and robberies are prevalent. Ensure that your personal belongings are secure at all times.Air travelWe do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.General information about foreign domestic airlines4. ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTSEvery country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination's entry or exit requirements.Puerto Rico a territory of the United States (U.S.).Confirm entry/exit requirements prior to travelling:Entry and exit requirements for the United StatesUS Customs and Border Protection (CBP)Embassy and Consulates of the United States in Canada5. HEALTHMedical services and facilities6. LAWS AND CULTUREYou must abide by local laws.Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.Dual citizenshipDual citizenship is legally recognized in the U.S. However, Canadian officials may be limited in their ability to provide you with consular services if local authorities consider you only as an American citizen. Although U.S. authorities do not formally require dual nationals to carry both a U.S. and a Canadian passport, you should carry both documents as proof of citizenship and present yourself as Canadian to foreign authorities to minimize this risk. Citizenship is determined solely by national laws, and the decision to recognize dual citizenship rests completely with the country in which you are located when seeking consular assistance. See Travelling as a dual citizen for more information.7. DISASTERS AND CLIMATEHurricane seasonHurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:know that you expose yourself to serious safety risksbe prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your tripstay informed of the latest regional weather forecastscarry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operatorfollow the advice and instructions of local authoritiesUseful linksHurricanes, typhoons, cyclones and monsoonsLarge-scale emergencies abroadActive storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings - United States' National Hurricane CenterHurricanes Irma and MariaHurricanes Irma and Maria swept Puerto Rico as major hurricanes on September 6 and 19, 2017, respectively. Both storms caused significant damage and recovery efforts are ongoing in some areas.The situation in the capital of San Juan has improved but power has not yet been restored steadily and traffic could be disrupted as many traffic lights are still not operational. Be particularly cautious when travelling to other parts of the island as there are still major disruptions to the following essential services :transportationpower distributionwater and food supplytelecommunications networksemergency assistancemedical careContact your travel agent to determine whether the situation could disrupt travel plans.

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